Hobbyist gives Scion coupe winning rework

Larry Edsall / Special to The Detroit News

Posted:
05/02/2013 12:06:24 AM MDT

Updated:
05/02/2013 11:58:58 PM MDT

Chris Basselgia has an associate's degree in electronics but decided that's not what he wants to do for a living, so he's pursuing a bachelor's degree in medical radiology. Friends, however, have encouraged Basselgia to turn one of his hobbies into a profession.

What are his hobbies? Cooking and car tuning. He's skilled in both, as the friends who come for dinner and as a major automaker will testify.

Late last year, Basselgia won the FR-S Tuner Challenge staged by Toyota's Scion brand. Basselgia and two other tuners were given a new car, a $15,000 budget and three months to modify Scion's new sports coupe. Basselgia's approach to the project may serve as inspiration for your car-tuning efforts.

"I like clean, timeless designs," he said. "Nothing trendy or gaudy. No going over the top. Just take the stock vehicle and refine it rather than turn it into a monstrosity.

"I start with the base model and ask what would I do differently to turn it into the car I want it to be? The car is a canvas and you're trying to complete a work of art."

On the FR-S, Basselgia, of Lebanon, Pa., wanted to enhance the car's clean lines while maintaining what he saw as both elegance and aggressiveness. Inside, he wanted to create a more premium environment and admits he went over-budget (thanks to several sponsors who joined the project) on custom distressed and black ostrich leather. The interior also features advanced Sony and JL audio equipment.

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He also installed an Eaton M62 Roots-style supercharger and made other modifications to boost the performance of the four-cylinder engine. Brakes also were upgraded, and the exterior got tasteful modifications -- front and rear spoilers, rear diffuser, modified grille, racing mirrors, etc. -- as well as BASF R-M Onyx Fresh Mint paint.

That paint color led to the car taking on the name "Minty FReSh," the capital letters coming from Scion's own model name.

While all of that is well and good, Basselgia says to him, the starting point for any vehicle modification is the car's stance. On the Scion, he installed an Airlift adjustable air suspension, 19-inch Rotiform Super Concave three-piece wheels and Falken FK453 tires.

"You have to get it sitting right, with the right wheels on it," Basselgia said. "That's the foundation. You can have a car that is phenomenally built but not have the right stance and that throws it off. The right wheels and [tire] fitment are key."

He also said that lowering a car and upgrading wheels and tires enhances a vehicle's dynamic performance and can make it a lot more fun to drive even without touching the engine.

"The problem with doing the engine first," he added, "is that to get 'real' power takes a lot of money."

"If you're looking at a limited budget, pick the major things you want done," he suggests. "I would start with wheels and suspension. From there, do what you can (afford). But do it cleanly and do it right and make sure it's not gaudy, that it's clean, classy and timeless.

"Make it fun first," he said, "and if that's still not enough, then worry about getting more power."

Fun, Basselgia said, is important, and the reason why he'll pursue a career in radiology instead of cooking or cars.

"I want to keep them as hobbies," he said, "because I want to keep enjoying them."

Larry Edsall is a Phoenix-based freelance writer. You can reach him at ledsall@cox.net.